Martin Kuscus:
A life of learning, earning, and returning
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Audio Title: Martin Kuscus: A journey of learning, earning, and returning
Description: “There have been three phases in my life: learning, earning, and now returning,” says Martin Kuscus. “I’m at a stage where I feel compelled to give back, to pour into the lives of emerging leaders some of the hard-earned lessons I’ve gathered along the way.”
“There have been three phases in my life: learning, earning, and now returning,” says Martin Kuscus. “I’m at a stage where I feel compelled to give back, to pour into the lives of emerging leaders some of the hard-earned lessons I’ve gathered along the way.”
Martin’s career journey is as vibrant as it is diverse, beginning as a male nurse and culminating in public service as the MEC of Finance in the North West province.
Today, he devotes himself to mentoring the next generation, offering guidance shaped by both personal trials and professional triumphs.
His story begins in hardship. During his teen years, Martin’s father left the family. As the eldest child, he was thrust into a position of responsibility, expected to help maintain the household and raise his younger siblings.
“That was quite a challenging time,” he recalls. “I was still in my teens—I needed a steady father figure to help me navigate that volatile period of life, but there was none.”
A pivotal moment came through an accident. After injuring his hand, Martin found himself in a hospital, where he became fascinated by the nurses caring for him.
Once discharged, his hand still wrapped in bandages, he returned to the hospital to speak with the head nurse about how to join the profession. That decision marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to service.
the earning phase
Over the years, Martin transitioned from healing patients to leading people. His path eventually led him into public office, where he discovered the unique challenges of leadership and the importance of self-awareness.
In 1994, South Africa’s democracy brought new opportunities. Martin became the first Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Finance in the North West Province.
“Moving from nursing to politics was a big shift,” he admits. “But it taught me the power of knowing your purpose, and leading from that purpose.”
Over the next ten years, Martin guided the province’s budget and policies, always asking, “Why am I doing this?”
“You have to know your why,” he emphasises. “It’s about understanding your purpose and working with intention. Each person must develop their core and lead from that foundation.”
Part of that self-awareness includes recognising one’s limits. “You can’t be everything to everyone,” Martin says.
“We all have 24 hours in a day, yet we act like we have 36.”
– Martin Kuscus
In 2004, Martin took the helm of the South African Bureau of Standards. Under his leadership, SABS rose into the global top ten certification bodies. A year later, he became the first Chair of the Government Employees Pension Fund, overseeing a R920 billion portfolio and raising governance standards.
Martin’s reach widened further when he joined the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Investment board. From 2010 to 2019, he chaired the Mineworkers Provident Fund, doubling its assets and building an in-house system for 148 000 members. He then served on Liberty Corporate’s umbrella fund boards, focusing on communication and transformation.
Despite his experience, Martin remains a firm believer in continuous learning and collaboration. “The world moves so fast. If you don’t keep up, you’re going to get stuck in empty rhetoric and outdated slogans. That’s why I make it a point to connect with experts in fields where I lack expertise. There’s always something new to learn.”
the returning phase
Having entered what he calls the “returning” phase of life, he now spends much of his time mentoring emerging leaders and speaking on credibility, integrity, and intentional leadership. His book, Credibility Matters, is a reflection of this journey—a candid account of wins, losses, and the importance of character in the long run.
Martin’s values are also deeply rooted in his faith. He married his wife, Liz, in 1981, and became a Christian the following year—two defining moments he credits with anchoring his life’s direction.
When asked about the legacy he hopes to leave, Martin’s answer is grounded in humility and integrity:
“The day I’m no longer here, I hope people will say, ‘There goes a credible man — a man who wasn’t perfect, but who worked hard, even in areas he wasn’t naturally good at. A man you could trust.’”
Teagan specialises in Copywriting, Public Relations, Social Media Marketing and Blogging. Teagan uncovers the deeper “why” behind every venture. She believes that every person and project has a unique story, and nothing excites her more than transforming these narratives into compelling content that demands to be shared with the world.
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